WhatsApp, the world’s most widely used messaging platform, is set to withdraw support for several older iPhone and Android devices by May 2025. The move, announced by Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the app remains secure, reliable, and functional as mobile technology evolves.
The announcement means millions of users globally—especially in developing markets like Nigeria—may need to upgrade their phones to continue using WhatsApp. The devices affected include iPhones released around 2013 and 2014, such as the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 series, as well as Android smartphones that cannot run version 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher. This includes early-generation Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, and Sony models that once dominated the smartphone market.
According to WhatsApp, these changes are routine and necessary to maintain performance standards and introduce new features that may not be supported by outdated operating systems. “To keep WhatsApp secure, we regularly stop supporting older operating systems and devices that no longer receive security updates,” the company stated. For many users, this development signals a push toward more modern, capable smartphones, especially as the app continues to play an essential role in everyday communication, business transactions, and social engagement.
Interestingly, this news coincides with a major technical leap forward in Nigeria, where MTN and Meta have joined forces to significantly enhance the quality of real-time calls on apps like WhatsApp. The collaboration, first revealed during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, has already been rolled out in Nigeria—MTN’s largest market—before expanding to 11 other African countries.
At the heart of this partnership is a shared goal: to deliver seamless, stable, and high-quality call experiences to users who rely heavily on mobile data. Using a mix of data analytics, network optimization, and targeted engineering tweaks, both companies have fine-tuned how calls are routed and processed. Early results from Nigeria show marked improvements in the quality of voice and video calls, with MTN reporting a 50 percent boost in key performance metrics since the intervention began.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer, Yahaya Ibrahim, described the rollout as a major win for customers. “This implementation further demonstrates our commitment to enhancing our customers’ digital experience,” he said. “We’re pleased with the remarkable improvement in our real-time communication services, reflecting our commitment to innovative customer solutions.”
Meta, which owns both Facebook and WhatsApp, echoed similar optimism. Diego Marí, who leads the company’s Network Ecosystems Engineering team, noted that the collaboration not only improves customer experience but also exemplifies the kind of proactive partnership needed to keep digital communication smooth and efficient in high-growth markets.
The dual announcements—a sunset for older phones and a sunrise for real-time call quality—highlight the shifting dynamics of digital communication in Africa. On one hand, users are being nudged to upgrade as technology advances. On the other, investments in infrastructure and collaboration between telecoms and tech giants are raising the standard of service for those already on modern networks.
For millions of Nigerians who use WhatsApp not just to chat but to conduct business, attend virtual classes, and stay in touch with family, the message is clear: the future of communication is getting faster, sharper, and more demanding—and only those ready to adapt will fully benefit.
